A new local children’s apparel designer has hit the Queens fashion scene with extra horsepower in her sewing machine. Coming from a long line of sewers in her family, it only makes sense that Patricia Gambis took up sewing in her spare time. Her children’s clothing line has since taken off into a new direction of beautiful lined dresses and dress-up costumes. Her style and sense of beauty shine through in her vibrant fabrics and clean lines. She creates pieces that are comfortable, classic, affordable (most of her dresses are $50-60) and, of course, made with love.

* ACCESSORIZE!

Another designer whose love bursts through her craft is Dolores Corcuera of Marikit Designs. Corcuera creates fabulous children’s hair accessories and jewelry. In addition to juggling a full-time job and motherhood, she somehow finds the time to create a kids accessory line. The pieces are an absolute steal with hair clips starting at just $2. Her one-of-a-kind hair accessories are great for birthday party favors and make adorable gifts.

* BAKE!

Speaking of gifts, feel free to donate to the Cookies for Kids Cancer charity group at www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. Lisa Tobin and her team of volunteers from the Forest Hills Parents and Playgroup ganged up on pediatric cancer and raised $1,000 at a local bake sale this past Sunday. Although the bake sale itself was a local initiative, Cookies for Kids Cancer is a nationwide non-profit organization that gives you the tools to throw your own bake sale to raise money for children’s cancer research. Check out the website to see how you can donate, buy cookies or use your own recipe to sell in your own bake sale. Buy an organic cotton T-shirt while you’re at it for only $8-10. We should be proud to have parents like Lisa and The Forest Hills Parent & Playgroup in our community!

* CONSIGN!

When shopping for children’s clothes, at what point do you draw the imaginary “budget” line in the sand? What do you do with your child’s overpriced dress or designer outfit once they’ve outgrown it? The Monkey Exchange (www.themonkeyexchange.com) has the answer! The Monkey Exchange is an online national children’s clothing consignment store. Send in your gently worn designer children’s clothing via mail to their corporate headquarters and you make some money back on your kids’ wardrobes! Keep your offspring stylish and your bank account in a happy state. It’s quick and EASY!